Creepy Close-Ups: Best Microscope Critter Photos

Spiders, weevils, wasps, lice, mites and mosquitoes are among the creepiest subjects of the winners of Nikon's Small World microscope photography competition this year. Super-close-ups of eyes, tongues and silk spinnerets are amazingly beautiful, but also gross enough to induce shivers.

These delightfully disturbing photos are among the winners, honorable mentions and images of distinction selected for their originality, informational content, and visual impact by Nikon's judging panel of scientists, journalists and optical imaging experts. Nikon announced the rankings at 10 a.m. ET today, including the first place winner, who will receive $3,000 and some Nikon products. We have a post with the top 20 winners on Wired Science.

If your favorite from the tiny terrors contained in this gallery isn't among the winners, you can vote for it until Nov. 13 on the Small World Facebook page to win the popular vote.

Above:

House Spider

Harold Taylor, Kensworth, Dunstable, United Kingdom

Subject: House spiderTechnique: Image stackingMagnification: 30x

Bat Embryos

Dorit Hockman, University of Cambridge, Trinity College, Cambridge, United Kingdom